Calculating the Mass of Carbon Monoxide in a Sample of Air

Understanding the concentration of pollutants in air samples is crucial for environmental monitoring and various industrial applications. One common method of expressing such concentrations is in parts per million (ppm). This article will walk you through the process of calculating the mass of carbon monoxide in a given air sample, using the example provided.

Understanding Parts Per Million (ppm)

Parts per million (ppm) is a unit used to express the concentration of a solute in a solution or a contaminant in a mixture. Mathematically, 12 ppm by mass means that there are 12 grams of carbon monoxide (CO) per every 1,000,000 grams of air. This concept is applied across various industries, from environmental science to atmospheric chemistry.

Example Calculation: Carbon Monoxide in Air

Consider the scenario where a sample of air has a mass of 5.0 kilograms (kg), and it contains carbon monoxide with a concentration of 12 parts per million by mass. To determine the mass of carbon monoxide in the sample, follow these steps:

Step 1: Convert the Mass of Air to Grams

First, transform the mass of the air sample from kilograms to grams:

5.0 kg 5.0 × 1000 g 5000 g

Step 2: Use the Given Concentration to Calculate the Mass of CO

Using the concentration of 12 ppm by mass:

Mass of CO (12 g CO / 1,000,000 g air) × 5000 g air

Step 3: Perform the Calculation

Carry out the multiplication and division steps:

Mass of CO (12 × 5000) / 1,000,000 60,000 / 1,000,000 0.06 g

Step 4: Convert to Scientific Notation

Express the final result in scientific notation:

0.06 g 6.0 × 10-2 g

Conclusion

The mass of carbon monoxide in the air sample is 6.0 × 10-2 g, which corresponds to option A in the choices provided. This method of calculation can be applied to various scenarios where small quantities of substances need to be determined in larger samples.

Additional Considerations

Understanding the concentration of substances in air samples is essential for environmental health and safety. This method of calculation can be extended to other pollutants as well, such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) or nitric oxide (NO), as long as the concentration is provided in parts per million (ppm).

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By utilizing this knowledge, you can perform accurate and reliable measurements of various air contaminants, aiding in the protection of both human health and the environment.